Hourglass by Claudia Gray Page B

guessing Balthazar can’t swim out of here.”
    Wincing, Balthazar said, “Absolutely not.”
    “I’ll think of something,” Lucas said. He sounded like he was trying to make himself believe it. “Why did you join this little hunting party, anyway? Didn’t think you were Mrs. Bethany’s errand boy.”
    “Hardly.” Balthazar groaned. “But she said Bianca was hereand I thought—I thought she might be in trouble. The kind of trouble I’m in now.”
    He’d run into unimaginable danger because he was afraid for me. That made this all my fault. Touched by his devotion, but angry with myself, I leaned my head against the doorjamb and shut my eyes for a second.
    I heard Balthazar say, “So why are you helping me out, Lucas? Last time I checked, you still believed in the war against vampires.”
    “You haven’t checked lately, have you?” Lucas replied.
    “Besides—you’d help Bianca, no matter what. That means I help you, no matter what.”
    Lifting my head, I saw Lucas and Balthazar regarding each other. For the first time, there was real respect in Balthazar’s eyes. “Okay.”
    “Doesn’t change the fact that I don’t have any idea what to do for you.” Lucas kicked at the railing and swore. “Balthazar, I’m going to try, but I can’t promise.”
    “I understand,” Balthazar said. He was speaking to me more than to Lucas now. “Don’t put yourselves in danger on my account. It’s not worth it.”
    “Yes, it is,” I whispered. Lucas’s eyes darted toward me, but he said nothing. “There’s no way we’re leaving you here. I don’t care what I have to do.”
    Lucas cut in, “We’ll come up with something. But it might take a couple of days. Those days might be pretty rough.”
    With my vampire-sharp hearing, I detected Milos and theother guards coming closer. “They’re back.”
    Balthazar quickly said, “Whatever they do to me—I promise you, I’ve been through worse.”
    “Don’t be so sure,” Lucas said, “but hang on.”
    The door banged open, and Milos and the other guard returned. “Had your fun?”
    “Just had a little chat,” Lucas said. He glanced down at Balthazar, giving him a look I could see but the guards couldn’t—like a warning. Then he pulled his fist back, as if to punch Balthazar, who winced. Their playacting almost convinced me. Lucas relaxed, grinning wickedly. “Let him think it over for a while, huh?”
    “Sure,” Milos said with a leer. “Take Bianca off to bed.”
    They both laughed, happy to join the taunting. Balthazar closed his eyes.
    Lucas grabbed my hand and towed me outside, before I started crying. I let him even though I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see Balthazar again.

Chapter Nine
    IF I’D THOUGHT STAYING WITH BLACK CROSS WAS claustrophobic before, I hadn’t known the half of it. Now all twenty or so people staying at the harbor station were huddled in a room that wouldn’t have been big enough for ten people to sleep comfortably. There was no privacy, no silence, and no chance to talk to Lucas.
    At least we were near each other.
    Lucas and I technically slept on separate pallets that lay side by side, but that left no space between us, not in that room. As soon as we stretched out, Lucas pulled his blanket over us and spooned behind me, his belly to my back. One arm cradled me around the waist, and I could feel his breath against the back of my neck.
    I closed my eyes, luxuriating in the moment. If only we were alone. If only I weren’t still so shaken from the attack and Balthazar’s capture that my entire body trembled. It would have been so sweet.
    Lucas softly kissed the back of my neck. I knew he was trying to tell me to have faith that we’d figure something out. But I knew as well as Lucas did how difficult that would be.
    My fingertip traced along Lucas’s hand and fingers. I could feel the fine hairs on his forearm, the movement of his thumb as he made little soothing circles around my navel.
    For a